Sunday, February 24, 2008

Bree Wee muffins and a bad hamstring



I decided to do Bree Muffins last night instead of bread. They came out really nice and cheered me up a bit after a trying weekend.

I did a 1/2 marathon yesterday. It was a wake up call for me in that I can't keep ignoring a persistent hamstring attachment problem. My husband had to deal with a crying bundle of emotion after I crossed the finish line yesterday. I just lost it. Basically my ass aches when I try and pick up the pace. I seem to be able to get through 4 runs a week without anything that nags at me enough to do something about it, but this is the second road race I've done in the past 2 months that It doesn't seem to matter how much I warm up or stretch, minutes into the race I'm feeling the damn thing every time I push off and plant my foot in front. For 13.1 miles it ached either in my ass or right in the belly of the muscle. It gets tighter and tighter and my stride gets shorter and shorter and I'm not thinking about the race and staying relaxed and running hard, and waiting to pummel my once-a-week-runner-husband, instead I'm thinking about my hamstring the entire time watching my cruddy pace and thinking how they hell am I gonna do a marathon....

I had this injury back in 2004 training for Lake Placid. Basically I trained through it and limped through the marathon. It was not a pleasant experience and now that I'm committed to CDA, here it is again. My big training hasn't even kicked in yet. I think I'm DOOMED.
Sorry for the downer post today. I'm trying to be proactive. I've decided to start getting some deep tissue work in there (probably filled with scar tissue) and also I'm going to visit Mike Doyle, a sports strength and conditioning trainer to help me get my back and glutes stronger which I'm told can be adding to the misery.

It's funny, now have another IM looming over me, here it is again. I had two solid seasons back to back and I was mentally prepared and confident that I could give it another shot and be competitive within my age group for another IM this year.

I'm on shaky ground today. I think I'll go have a muffin.

8 comments:

BreeWee said...

Oh no! Darn injury! I hope the deep tissue massage works... the frustration-UGH! I hope with Ironman coming up for you it heals quick & you can have the race you have been training so hard for...do you aqua jog? It works wonders! Lisa Bentely has them on her training plan almost every week just to keep up the run but to give the legs a break. I once had to aqua jog for 6 weeks with NO running up until race day... it was boring but kept me in run fitness!
Best to you...sending some prayers your way too!

GCDavid said...

I was experiencing a similar thing very recently. I wore a wrap around my leg, and that helped a lot. Also, working on various stretching and yoga poses. Let me know and I'll show you what I have been doing. Also, we have a massage therapy sponsorship through the club if you are looking for someone.

kerrie said...

well at least make sure that you have a diet coke with that muffin :)!
sorry to hear about your hammy - i think injuries like that are typically "compensation issues", meaning you have some kind of imbalance that needs to be addressed, but it does sound like you are on your way to doing that. and i second what Bree says, pool running is a really great way to maintain fitness and stretch out...i hope you bounce back soon but do make sure to take a good solid rest after your 1/2 mary.!!!

Anonymous said...

ICK! I am SO sorry to hear about your hammy...and I sure hope it doesn't get worse and you can do some recovery and light aqua jogging (yes!) to keep it at bay. I second Bree's thoughts - and between the deep tissue massage, water running and your swim/bike workouts, you will be OK!!! Hang in there. Oh, btw, the muffins look great...just what I have a taste for....! Jen H.

Mel said...

I think you need some CAKE :) ya want me to send you some...We had 3B parties...so we definitely have some left over :) Bummer on the hammy...it is crazy how we are fine one day and feeling good and BAM we are injured :( Hang in there!!

Pedergraham said...

I hope you can recover from this quickly. It's such a tough spot to have pain in b/c it's sooooo hard to get at. Eat muffins and get better quick!
-Danielle

Cathy said...

Those muffins look like they should do the trick for you ;-). Seriously though, how about some PT? Mike and I have both been down that road over the last year or so, and it seems to work wonders for us. I also agree that stretching the hamstring and related muscles would be a benefit... Hope it gets better soon

Eileen Swanson said...

Hang in there! I will keep my fingers crossed that the massage and icing, etc, will help heal you quickly. I know it's tough. I too struggle with a leg injury that thankfully is starting to get better. I know you hate to hear this, but it does take some time and a bit of patience (something us athletes don't always have). But you will get better, keep positive, cheer up, have some more Wee muffins, smile ;-) We are thinking about you!!

E